Ella Mae Mills Finney of Saegertown, PA and formerly of Cambridge Springs, PA, died on Thursday, October 4, 2012 at Crawford County Care Center in Saegertown at the age of 97. Born in LeBoeuf Township, Erie County, PA on April 19, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Mike and Stephanie Mills of Mill Village, PA. She married Robert M. Finney on June 22, 1944 and he preceded her in death on November 22, 1976.

Ella Mae was very proud to be a Navy veteran, serving during World War II as a Pharmacist’s Mate. She earned her undergraduate teaching degree at Edinboro Teachers College and her Master’s degree in Education from Allegheny College. Her teaching career took her from a one-room school house to Bradford Elementary, West Mead Elementary (Neason Hill) in Meadville, and to General McLane Elementary in Edinboro, from where she retired. She was very creative – making beautiful flower arrangements, sewing her own clothes and clothes for her granddaughters. She made her daughter-in-law’s wedding gown. In addition, she loved gardening, baking, and bird watching.

Preceding Ella Mae in death in addition to her parents and her husband, Robert, were the following siblings -Julie ???_, Josephine Mills, Luba Lewis, Mary Trask, Rose Popovich, Elizabeth Kohmanski, and Frank Mills, George Mills, and Mike Mills. She is survived by one brother – Larry “Lindy” Mills of Pittsburgh; a son – Robert Finney and his wife, Anne of Saegertown; two granddaughters – Meredith Finney of Saegertown and Jessica Finney of Washington, PA, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held there on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. will Reverend Sarah Roncolata, pastor of the Stone United Methodist Church in Meadville officiating. Full military honors will follow. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Crawford County Care Center, 20881 State Highway # 198, Saegertown, PA 16433.